May20, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC— Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today reiterated his support for comprehensive immigration reform and renewed his call for House leadership to take up the Senate’s reform measure. Representative Engel urged action during a Committee hearing on the state of relations between the United States and Mexico.

“I would like to emphasize how important it is to both of our countries for the House of Representatives to swiftly pass comprehensive immigration reform. We need a new immigration system that opens the doors of opportunity and emphasizes human dignity,” said Rep. Engel. “Our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths. Throughout our history, immigrants have always been an indispensable part of the fabric of our society, and we know from the number of people reaching our shores every year that America remains a beacon of hope and opportunity around the world. The time to fix our system is now, and we all know that if the Senate’s bill came to a vote on the House floor this afternoon, it would be on the President’s desk this evening.”

Representative Engel has consistently called for comprehensive immigration reform, urging House leadership to take up the issue since the Senate passed its plan with bipartisan support nearly a year ago.